Task 10 - Distribution

Definition - The process of making a movie available for viewing by an audience.

What is film distribution? 
Film distribution is the process of making a movie available for viewing by an audience. This is done by a distributor showing the film to potential cinemas and seeing if they are willing to show it on their screens. Distribution is key.

What is the distributors role?
A professional who would determine the marketing strategy for the film.

Whats a distribution plan?
A distribution plan is the distributor knowing exactly how to market the film to the targeted audience.

Whats a P+A budget?
A P+A budget is the prints and advertising budgets for a film.

What is the average distribution cost for a big six film?
The average cost is around $50 million

What does the distribution budget include?
The distribution budget includes: advertisements, billboards, press events, premieres, commercials

What is a simultaneous release?
Simultaneous release is when a company decide to for example release their film the same time as the DVD.

What are some main distribution companies?

• 20th Century Fox Film
• Columbia Pictures
• Artificial Eye
• Cinema International Corporation

The link between audiences and distribution?
Distribution have to concentrate or interesting the target audience or no-one will be interested in the film and go and watch it in the cinemas. Audience is very important to distributors.

Why is the release date crucial?
The release date is crucial because if for example you are releasing a children's film targeted for 4-10 year olds and the release date for your film is when children will all be at school they will not be able to come and see the film. Whereas if the release date for a children's film is during school holidays, more children will be able to come and see the film.

What is self distribution?
 Self distribution is when a person will distribute their film on their own by for example advertising for free online.

Task 9

1. Mainstream - The ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional.

2. Independent - An independent film is a film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment agencies.

3. Production - The action of making or manufacturing from components or raw materials, or the process of being so manufactured.

4. Distribution - The action of sharing something out among a number of recipients.

5. Marketing - The action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.

6. Exchange - An act of giving one thing and receiving another.

7.  Multinational Conglomerate - A conglomerate is a combination of two or more corporations engaged in entirely different businesses that fall under one corporate group, usually involving a parent company and many subsidiaries. Often a conglomerate is a multi-industry company.

8. Monopoly - The exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.

9. Oligopoly - A state of limited competition, in which a market is shared by a small number of producers or sellers.

10. The Big Six:

• Sony
• Warner Bros
• 20th Century Fox
• Paramount
• Disney
• Universal

11. Horizontal Integration - Is the process of a company increasing production of goods or services at the same part of the supply chain.

12. Vertical Integration - The combination in one firm of two or more stages of production normally operated by separate firms.

13. Synergy - The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

14. Merchandising - Branded products used to promote a film, pop group etc.

15. Ultra Violet -Ultra Violet is a cloud-based digital rights locker for movies and television shows that allows consumers to store proofs-of purchase.

16. Above the line - Advertising in the mass media

17. Below the line - Advertising by means such as direct mail, email, promotional events etc.

18. Technological Convergence - Is the tendency that as technology changes, different technological systems sometimes evolve towards performing similar tasks.

19. Consumption - The consumption of entertainment includes buying things such as food, drink, tickets, dvds etc.

20. Exhibition - How a film is shown to the public.

21. Piracy - The unauthorised use of reproduction of another's work.

22. Hollywood Franchchise 4S model - synergy, spectacle, sexualisation, story

23. Tie-In - When one company helps another.

Task 8 - Technology

Distribution - 

• Marketing through social media - For example: The Hunger Games = Twitter, Captain America= Instagram 
• Trailers shared on YouTube 
• Phone apps, online posters
• Websites - For example: Jurassic World
• Online competitions 

Production - 

• Camera = high quality, highly advanced - For example: The Hobbit used 48fps camera
• Green screen - used for special effect
• CGI - For example: Dawn of the planet of the ape
• Red one digits camera
• Example: Star Wars used a 4k camera
• Films made on phone- For example: Tangerine
• Very expensive 
• Could break down or have problems
• Could lose footage 

Exchange -

• Streaming on phones, tablets and computers
• Streaming sites- For example: Netflix and Amazon prime
• Monitors on planes 
• Download servers that have the movie stored 

Exhibition - 

• Digital projectors in cinemas 
• Requires less training than physical factors 
• 4K monitors for home cinemas 
• 3D & 4D cinemas 

Cons - 

• Reduce industrial jobs 
• Reduce energy due to free advertising 
• Less sponsorship 

Task 7

What days do audiences go to the cinema?
The  most popular days that people go to the cinema on is usually a Saturday or Friday. However Tuesday or Wednesday is also a popular day to go to the cinema as these are the days cinemas have promotions such as 'Meerkat Movies'.

What are the most popular genres?
The most popular genres are mainly comedy, drama or rom com. The genre of film which is watched usually depends on the age and gender of the audience. As the main people who answered my survey were teenage females this shows which genre of film that audience likes to watch.

How do audiences hear about films?
Audiences hear about films through many different ways, however the most popular way is mainly always social media or trailers. Trailers are a very good way for audiences to hear about films as they give an interesting preview and can be watched very easily for example on a television advert or on YouTube.

Do audiences prefer US,UK or other nationality films?
I believe audiences prefer US films mainly as US films usually include big movie stars and have much larger budgets which will all lead to making a very popular film. However some people may prefer UK films as they are very original.

Do audiences like 3D films?
Audiences mainly do not like 3D films. This could possibly be due to having to pay more money than usual to watch a film in 3D at the cinema or because glasses must be worn when watching it.

What other ways do audiences watch films aside from the cinema?
Another way audiences watch films aside from the cinema is Netflix. Netflix allows people to pay a monthly fee to be able to watch all films available. Another way audiences watch films aside from the cinema is online. You are able to download films on for example Apple TV for a certain price and then be able to watch them at home.

Who do audiences go to the cinema with?
My survey results show that most audiences go to the cinema with either one or two other people. It is very rare that audiences will go to the cinema in a large group.

When and where are audiences most likely to go to the cinema?
Audiences are most likely to go to the cinema in their local area. If there is a specific film people want to watch and it is not in their local cinema many people will wait until it comes out on DVD to watch it. However some people will travel to different cinemas to be able to watch a specific film or will even travel to a cinema as the cinema has unique features such as sofas instead of chairs.

Task 6

Genesis, London
The Genesis cinema shows a variety of films including block busters and independent films. The cinema has been used as a cinema since 1912. The cinema changed hands and names many times till it eventually closed down in 1989. After having been derelict for a decade, current owner Tyrone revived the cinema and gave it its name: Genesis.
The prices at Genesis cinema differ from a multiplex cinema such as Odeon.


Rich Mix, London
Rich Mix is East London's independent arts venue. Rich Mix are a charity and social enterprise.
Rich Mix cinema show a variety of mainstream and independent films. Rich mix also has music/live show events, performances, exhibitions and festivals. There would be a very wide range of target audiences at this cinema as it is shown mainstream and independent films and is not just a cinema. Rich mix was built in 1909.

The Electric, Birmingham 
The Electric cinema opened in 1909 yet has been called a variety of names but was finally named The Electric in 1993. The Electric cinema shows a variety of independent and mainstream films. This means the cinema gets more visitors as they don't just show mainstream films.

Chapter, Cardiff
Chapter opened in 1971beginning as a converted school. Chapter is not just a cinema as there are also art exhibits or theatre productions held there. This means there is a large target audience for Chapter as it is not just a cinema. Chapter mainly shows independent films in its cinema.

Prince Charles, London 

Prince Charles shows a mixture of animated, independent and mainstream films. This means the Prince Charles cinema has a wide target audience due to there being a wide range of films shown to the public. Prince Charles also offers good deals for members which would make more people want to go to the cinema to possibly become a member.

Chelmsford Civic Theatre
As a cinema Chelmsford Civic Theatre mainly show independent films. However as it is a theatre there is also musicals and shows being available to the public. The genre of films being shown at Chelmsford Civic Theatre are mainly documentaries or period dramas. The theatre offers a generic seating style.

Watershed, Bristol 
Watershed opened in 1982. Watershed cinema predominatnly shows indie/independent films.  There are many films shown at this cinema aimed towards families however the main target audience for Watershed would be young adults.

Zeffirellis, Ambleside
Zeffirellis cinema shows mainly mainstream films. This means the main target audience is young adults and also families as there are also many family films shown  in Zeffirellis. Zeffirellis is not just a cinema as there is a live jazz band on a wednesday, friday and saturday. This would increase the amount of visitors as well as there being a cafe, pizzeria and a restaurant inside.

HOME, Manchester 
HOME has a wide variety of films shown including both recent and classic films. HOME is not just a cinema as there are other events and festivals held there. HOME is also different to many other multiplex cinemas like Odeon as there is a restaurant inside.

Rio cinema 
The Rio cinema is different from many other cinemas as it offers stalls and circular tables for booking making it a more friendly cinema that encourages interaction between cinema goers. Rio cinema mainly shows a variety of mainstream and independent films yet the genre is mainly dramas.

Task 5

Task 4

Task 3

The Hunger Games – MockingJay Part 2 (4)

 

Task 2

The top 5 grossing films of 2015 are:

1. Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens - This film was released on 18/12/2015 and was distributed by Walt Disney.

2. Jurassic World - This film was released on 12/06/2015 and was distributed by Universal.

3. The Avengers: Age Of Ultron - This film was released on 01/05/2015 and was distributed by Walt Disney.

4. Inside Out - This film was released on 19/06/2015 and was distributed by Walt Disney.

5. Fast and Furious 7 - This film was released on 03/04/2015 and was distributed by Universal.

1) Star Wars Ep.VII: The Force Awakens - This film was directed, co-produced and co-written by J.J.Abrams. It was released on 18th December 2015 which was a good marketing technique as this was around the time of school holidays so more people would have time to watch it. This was the a sequel as before this film they was six previous Star Wars films. This film was produced by one the of the Big Six which was Disney. This film was very popular as it has been 11 years since the last Star Wars films so many people had been waiting a long time to watch this film.

2) Jurassic World - This film was directed by Colin Trevorrow and produced by Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley. It was released on May 29th 2015 which was a good marketing technique as there is school holidays around this time so many people would be able to go and watch it. The film was produced by one of the Big Six which was Universal. This film is also a sequel to Jurassic Park which was released on June 9th 1993. As there is a long period of time between these two films many people would be interested to watch Jurassic World as they have waited a long time for the sequel.

3) The Avengers - Age Of Ultron - This film was directed by Joss Whedon and was produced by Kevin Feige. This film was released on 13th April 2015 which is a general release date. This film is also a sequel and is aimed at the younger generation. The production company for this film was Marvel Studios.

4) Inside Out - This film was directed by Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen and was produced by Jonas Rivera. The release date for this film was 18th May 2015. This is a good marketing strategy as because the film is aimed towards the younger generation they are more likely to watch the film if it is released during the school holidays which it was. This film is not a sequel and is the only film which is not a sequel in the top 5 grossing films of 2015.

5) Fast and Furious 7 - This film was directed by James Wan and was produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Deisel, Michael Fottrell. This film was released on April 1st 2015. This film was on general release and was extremely popular as it was a sequel to a very popular series.

• Four out of these five films were all released during the time of school holidays. This would mean more people have time to watch the film.
• Only one of these films (Inside Out) is aimed at a younger audience. It would be even more important for this film to be released during the summer holidays as it is targeted towards a younger audience.
• Five out of five of these films were all distributed by one of the Big Six production companies.
• There is not a very wide range of genres in the top five films as four of them are mainly action based. Only one of these films is an animation film targeted towards a younger audience.

The predicted top 5 films of 2015 were:

1. Avengers: Age Of Ultron

2. Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens

3. Spectre

4. The Hunger Games - Mocking Jay part 2

5. Inside Out

Some of the films which appear on the predicted top 5 films were actually in the top 5 of 2015. This includes Star Wars, The Avengers and Inside Out.

Task 1

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NPCTRSM


This is a link to my online survey to find out about their cinema going habits.